"Second Son of a Second Son" - An Aquerra Story Hour (*finally* Updated 04/19)
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el-remmen
Moderator Emeritus
After Session #8, we took care of a lot of “down time” stuff using email, IMs, and eventually I got us a forum set up so we could start threads for scenes, general logistical concerns, and secret communication with the DM, which allows us to role-play stuff out in the nearly excruciating detail we prefer, but without taking up hours of precious session time to discuss.
There are seven “InterSessions” that I will be posting before I begin on posting #9, which was our next official session, after a month’s break necessitated by Hallmark holidays and real life concerns.
If you want to skip past these InterSessions right to the next session proper (#9) then click here.
Readers might be interested to note that all the dialog in these InterSessions was written by the players themselves. While I may cut sections or do some minor edits, for the most part it is their own words. I will be curious if these ‘voices’ seem any different from those in the normal story hour installments, where I am reconstructing dialog a lot more often.
Also, not everything taken care of and every scene played out will make it to these InterSessions. I chose based on the ones that entertained me the most and seemed most crucial to giving information that might be helpful later – but mostly I chose ones that showed the character in a new light, or in a very typical , but humorous, or satisfying fashion that reinforces what they are about.
I am not sure when I will get to start posting those, but perhaps the first will come at the end of this week.
There are seven “InterSessions” that I will be posting before I begin on posting #9, which was our next official session, after a month’s break necessitated by Hallmark holidays and real life concerns.
If you want to skip past these InterSessions right to the next session proper (#9) then click here.
Readers might be interested to note that all the dialog in these InterSessions was written by the players themselves. While I may cut sections or do some minor edits, for the most part it is their own words. I will be curious if these ‘voices’ seem any different from those in the normal story hour installments, where I am reconstructing dialog a lot more often.
Also, not everything taken care of and every scene played out will make it to these InterSessions. I chose based on the ones that entertained me the most and seemed most crucial to giving information that might be helpful later – but mostly I chose ones that showed the character in a new light, or in a very typical , but humorous, or satisfying fashion that reinforces what they are about.
I am not sure when I will get to start posting those, but perhaps the first will come at the end of this week.
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Ciaran
First Post
There are other reasons why the dialog will have a different texture. We write differently from how we talk, and we have lots of time to consider our InterSession dialog whereas dialog during sessions is spur-of-the-moment. That'll have at least as much of an impact as your having to reconstruct dialog during play.el-remmen said:
Telémakhos
First Post
I think I am pretty good keeping things natural. When Telie is not in the middle of life and death situations he tends toward flowery language anyway.
But to Tim, you and I did two or three scenes in IM and though you have some time to consider what you are saying and we can edit a bit as we go along, it still seems like a pretty spontaneous medium.
Totally unrelated, I think I am doing a better job at keeping the myriad minor details only I care about to myself. I think the message board is going to be help in this direction since I know I have a place for the minutiae I enjoy indulging in at times.
But to Tim, you and I did two or three scenes in IM and though you have some time to consider what you are saying and we can edit a bit as we go along, it still seems like a pretty spontaneous medium.
Totally unrelated, I think I am doing a better job at keeping the myriad minor details only I care about to myself. I think the message board is going to be help in this direction since I know I have a place for the minutiae I enjoy indulging in at times.
Rastfar
First Post
Oooph, poor Bleys, it appears that curiosity got the better of reason.
Curiously, I'd love to poll the readership. How many of you all read Bleys' journal? Is the voice similar or disparate? Is it helpful? Insightful? A waste of time?
I can't wait to read more........
THANX! Keep up the good work Nemm.
Curiously, I'd love to poll the readership. How many of you all read Bleys' journal? Is the voice similar or disparate? Is it helpful? Insightful? A waste of time?
I can't wait to read more........
THANX! Keep up the good work Nemm.
el-remmen
Moderator Emeritus
InterSession #8.1: Denouement & Decampment – Telie’s Day (part 1 of 2)
Isilem, the 2nd of Ter – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)
The sound of the door opening awakened Telémahkos from a fitful sleep of disjointed dreams. For a moment he felt the bewilderment of waking in a strange place, and as he sat up suddenly, he felt the pain of his recent wounds and lay back down just as suddenly. A quick glance at the window showed that dawn had not yet come.
Telémahkos remembered being made comfortable in Vanthus' old room. Lavinia walked in dressed in a thick dressing robe covering a white nightgown, the hem of which hung below the short robe. Her hair was up in a kerchief and she carried the lit stub of a candle in a holder.
"Oh, I am sorry," she whispered apologetically. "I could not sleep and just wanted to check on you. I know you companion healed you, but you looked so bad…I wanted to make sure…I will leave you to your rest…"
She moved to go back out.
"No, please, I don't expect to be back asleep soon anyway," he whispered in a horse voice. Slowly and painfully he adjusted himself so he was sitting up in bed, leaning against a fat, comfortable pillow.
Telémahkos opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to moisten his dry mouth.
"Let me fetch you some water. . ." Lavinia Vanderboren went out and then came back with a pitcher and a tin cup, placing it on the night table next to the bed and pouring him a cup. After handing it to him, she carefully brought a chair over next to bed and sat. "I cannot express how grateful I am to you and your companions for aiding me and for trying to aid my brother… But especially you… As I know it must not have been easy to convince them to do, what with all the secrecy…"
Telie thanked her for the water and drank a cup full before speaking again. "It became something of a mess honestly. There are lots of rumors flying about and I think I told a white lie about some plot or another to get us going in the right direction. I worry about your feelings, but I worry more that you will embrace your brother once more to your disadvantage." He drank some more before continuing. "He is a louse, and I only say this bluntly because I do not have strength for the politeness normally required of one of my station."
"I. . . I just can't accept it. . ." She lowered her head into her hands, and when she looked back up she was crying. "I mean, he has always made mistakes, or wasted his energies in this or that fad or fickle interest that he would prove to have no talent for, and yes… He’d waste a lot of mother and father's coin… But that is all they were…Mistakes… If he has done evil it has been because of his own incompetence and short-sightedness, not because of his intentions. . . That must count for something. . . Right?"
She was quiet for a long moment, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Isis forgives. . ."
Telémahkos sat up and awkwardly tried to comfort her, wincing from the sharp pains of his movement.
"Isis does forgive ... thank her for that." He paused before continuing, trying to figure out the best way to say what he had to say about Vanthus. "From all descriptions he is selfish, self-centered, reckless and uncaring about anyone he hurts to get what he is after. I am sorry to force the point ... but do not let your beautiful heart allow you and your family’s legacy be dragged down by this scoundrel. Keep him at arm's length at least. I will do what I can to gain you some business if there is anything you can take on… Let this brat redeem himself and if he understands that what he has done is wrong and wants to make up for it, let him prove that in deed before you ever allow yourself to be in a position where he can get anything from you. I say too much, but I know people… and I do not want to see anything else happen to you."
"I cannot say I will not help my brother if he comes to me," Lavinia said, suddenly sitting up straight and wiping the last of her tears. "That would dishonor my parents and all they sacrificed for his sake…"
She stood and paced the room a bit, nervously, her mood suddenly changing. "Business! More business is what I need to keep this company afloat and keep all the vultures from picking off the last pieces of my parents' hard-earned fortune. My plan was to use part of the money used by the sale of this place and the art in it to pay off the most pressing of the remaining debt, and then use what is left to fund an expedition to Fort Thunder to re-establish the most lucrative of my parent's trade routes. They used to be adventurers . . . and hired others to do this kind of dangerous work. . ..Thus why I hired the Jade Ravens. Now of course that trip is delayed because of the death of Mister Wayhand who was to buy the place, and with Tolvin Kentai dead…"
She walked back over and sat down, taking Telie's hand. "He was to be the guide, as he was from there and had traveled to and from the Hellish Isles several times… Until I can find I new guide, and perhaps a new band to go there, as the Jade Ravens may no longer exist without their founder. . ."
"There are no closer routes that can help in the meanwhile? What makes this route so valuable?" Telie paused only for a second as he had another thought, "And when we are done with our business in the Disputed Territories… But what wrong can be righted in such a voyage? Do you have any maps?" He got out of bed without embarrassment, despite being in his skivvies, and donned his toga. “How far away is this place?"
"Closer routes?" She looked up wide-eyed. "We have no routes. We Vanderborens have always made our coin by providing others with what they need for trade and making a cut from it, or commission from the connection and networking of various independent craftsman. However, in the last few years most of these companies have been cutting out the Mercantile Nexus, and making these deals directly, or finding their own in-house resources for such things. The Fort Thunder route was the true source of my parents’ fortune… Though those shipments were rare and some never even got through, but the goods, especially spices and tobacco and coffee gained, meant each shipload was worth nearly a fortune in and of themselves… It was also my parents' true love, as the area provided them much adventure as they sought to open up new markets and make contacts with the various peoples of those lands."
She sighed and continued. "We are still bringing in some coin from our usual methods and the liquidation of some of our property, but even two trips from Fort Thunder could bring in more than I need to cover all the rest of the debts and build something more stable to serve as a legacy for the Vanderborens. As for a map, all I have is the one we found here among some of Vanthus’ stuff. . . Do not get up. I can show you tomorrow when I return from town…"
"Alright, more on the morrow…" Telie got comfortable again. "Would you hold my hand until sleep takes me?"
And as far as he knew, she did just that.
----------------------------------------------------
The sun was shining, and Telémahkos got out of bed and found a basin of fresh water and a sponge waiting for him. As he was finishing washing up, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in…” Laarus Raymer of Ra walked in, changed from his more tight-fitting travel clothes into his red cassock. His face showed the easy redness of having been out in the sun doing his morning prayers to Ra. “Good morning, Laarus…”
Telémahkos was fishing through his pack, taking out some parchment and a quill, which he laid out on the barren desk in the room.
"Morning," the priest responded, nodding his head. He looked over the amenities of Telémakhos' large room, more than had been afforded for any of the other Vanderboren guests. "I trust you had a good rest?" Laarus queried, though his tone made it seem more of a statement of fact than a question. He closed the door behind him, "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak to you about Lavinia."
"Of course. Make yourself comfortable," Telie replied, sitting at the edge of the bed, leaving the single chair for Laarus' use.
Laarus sat down on the chair offered him. He hung his head for a moment, composing his thoughts before speaking. "I believe Miss Vanderboren deserves to know the full story," the priest remarked. "You did not exactly have your wits about you last night, so you do not know, but I was reluctant to do so myself. I didn't wish to share the full details in front of strangers, such as those of that other group. Some of the specifics are more… personal in nature. They should be handled as such."
Laarus eyes turned towards Telémakhos. "She appears to feel a close connection to you, Telémakhos. It may be best for you to let her know the truth. Or at least how the truth was presented to us."
Telémahkos sighed. "Well, I already told Lavinia her brother is a louse that he should not be trusted or allowed to have anything to do with her family's business. However, she is convinced that he is just misguided, willful and foolish. There is not much in the details that would tell her more, is there? She already knows he was misrepresenting himself as a representative of the company with his shady dealings and that his actions wrought the mayhem here. However, all he was doing, as far as I know, was trying to steal something of great value… I mean, I will speak with her again to give her some details and make sure she understands as fully as possible her brother's dishonesty, but I am not sure if you had something else in mind ... or if you have a different interpretation of these events."
"I was aware you'd spoken to her late in the night, she mentioned having checked in on you, but I was not sure you had talked about that. If she's been informed of the events that led up to this attack and of the full involvement of Vanthus, his consort, and Harliss in this mess, that should be sufficient. I believe that is all who, Bleys informed me, was involved." (1) Laarus spent another moment in quiet reflection before continuing. "I have no other interpretation of these events. Our information's come from a source that is far from reputable. In appearance it seems to be the full truth, but, we'd be foolish to assume it truly is. Lavinia should be made aware of this as well."
"I will, in the coming days, make sure Lavinia knows the story clearly."
“Tell me, did you speak with her about the supposed attack on House Weatherwax?" The priest asked.
"I have not done so yet. I have my paper out and hope to obtain more, because I think it will benefit us all if I take notes on what I learn and from whom and when. I seem to have a terrible memory." Telie seemed earnest in his desire to have a methodological approach to the situation.
"It is difficult to hold onto the facts alone and not shade them with your own assumptions. That is why I've taken to writing down what I see, to keep the facts in order. You may be wise to do the same." The priest stood slowly, his body still aching slightly from wounds and weariness. "Did you happen to tell Lavinia that the one who ordered the attack is in the area?"
Telie blushed. "I did not… Which is quite foolish of me. I suppose I wanted to forget that business. Alone and a wanted woman, I hope she just skulks off to lick her wounds somewhere else. Do you think she would come here to try to finish this business herself?" In answer to his own question he continued, "I hope news of her first mate's demise and the presence of our company and what remains of the other company will send her on her way before we ourselves leave."
"She may await for a better time to complete her revenge," Laarus considered. "The local authorities should be notified, though. Perhaps she can be captured and brought to justice before she can finish it. I'll do that this morning." Laarus turned and began walking to the door. Just before the portal, he stopped and turned back to Telémakhos. "Tell me. Did Captain Oberto say why he wanted you to assassinate her?"
"He never mentioned her nor did he indicate I was to be killing anyone. He just made it sound like he was working against the Coopers, which makes little sense in light of the fact that Harliss's death would help the Coopers, not hurt them… It is the only thing that really hurts is my head when I think about all of this."
He paused to take a sip of water from a nearby tin cup and then continued, "Laarus, my life will likely be in danger if it is known I have revealed the Captain's role in this. Please keep it between us." He looked pained thinking about the intrigue he had gotten involved in.
Laarus nodded. "I do not wish to see you come to harm." With that, the priest opened the door and concluded: "I'll leave you to your writing. Good morning." He closed it behind him.
"You and me both," Telémahkos murmured as he turned to his parchment.
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Later in the day, after lunch, Laarus had gone into town, and Victoria was resting her leg, hoping to get it back up to speed in a few days (2), while Markos was off somewhere in the house avoiding everyone as usual. Bleys was still frozen in the sepia shell. Timotheus and Telémakhos were fencing outdoors near the Vanderboren Manse, out by the empty water where the gulls soared. The clack and clash of their blades filled the air, accompanied by the scuff of boots on gravel and the grunts and wheezes of exertion.
“So,” said Timotheus, “how long d'you think we're going to be out here?” He swept his blade out lazily, daring his cousin to attack.
Telémakhos lunged, but his rapier was parried by his cousin’s saber. “Out where?”
“Quillton. Black Thread Island.”
“A while… I think…What do you think of Lavinia?”
“She’s nice. She likes you.”
Whipping his cloak at Tim’s blade, Telémakhos tried to deliver a punch with his sword’s basket-hilt, only to be parried and receive a stinging riposte for his pains. “Ow!” Telie stopped and took some deep breaths. "I don't know… She's a little tall for me… I like her, I think...” Telémahkos kicked dirt in Tim's direction and went for his heavily protected heart.
Tim's parry was a little slow, and Telie's point scraped on his breastplate. “Good!” he called, beating at Telie's blade and thrusting, knocking his cousin’s blade completely out of line. “No kidding. You're her knight in studded armor.”
Telémakhos backed up, shaking his head. He brought his rapier back in line and moved forward for a careful attack. “Well,” he observed, “I am uncertain of her interest... but please, if Tymon is around when I am trying to talk to her, distract him... He has me married to his sister already… Not that I would mind... you have to see this girl…”
“I'm sure I will.” Tim returned to guard position, awaiting Telie’s next attack. “And there's no uncertainty about Lavinia’s interest. She threw herself on top of you to protect you. Then she tried to hold ‘em off with your own sword. That's pretty devoted.”
Telie came in fast then, attacking low and high in quick combinations. He was satisfied with how swiftly and precisely he moved with the rapier (3), given how pedestrian he was with any other melee weapon. “I wish I could see things as simply as you do sometimes... I almost got killed trying to save her... I have no idea why... I do not love her... but she didn't deserve that mess.” He halted for a moment, panting heavily. “Before I collapse from exhaustion, why don't you tell me what is on your mind?” Telie finished a flurry as the Steel Whip lived up to its name, hitting Tim left and right before he could even change his footing.
“Ow! You're getting good with that thing.” Ignoring the blood that began dripping from his right bicep, Timotheus continued, “I just want to know what we're doing next. I'm hoping we can stop in at Azure, and maybe take a few days to hop up the road to Chalkour. I got some people to see and some debts to pay.”
Hearing this, Telie completely dropped his guard during a semi-risky maneuver, only to be flattened for his mistake. Tim offered his hand to help him up.
“Ugh.” Telie’s nose bled as he took Tim's hand. Wiping his nose on the back of his hand, he held his head back, occasionally snorting and then spitting out blood. “First, I heard Azure and thought, ‘no f*cking way’... and then I heard ‘debt’ and remembered my own…”
Tim grinned. “Sorry.”
A moment later, Telémakhos hocked a huge gob of bloody phlegm and lunged forward, seeming more intent than ever to get in telling blows. “I hate your uncle,”(4) he said, then fought silently for a bit, looking unhappy and almost dour.
Tim continued to fight defensively, though not enough to keep all of Telie's attacks from getting through. "I'm not a big fan of his, either. But no one said anything about going to Epithalassos-by-the-Sea. I don't want to see him either."
"At this point, I just want stab something in the face, so before I do that to you, let me go get my sword and shield so I am little threat to anyone..."
Tim laughed. "Sure. I'll get my helmet on."
Telie stomped off to rinse off and have a drink, followed by Tim. The two changed into heavier gear before heading back out to spar in the heat of the afternoon.
"Bleys is going to want to see his sister and her kids,” said Telémakhos, “And I should check in on them too... I guess I can deal with another day of humiliation when I have so many behind me that I cannot count them all." He banged his broad sword on his shield and started to circle Tim awkwardly.
"His sister? Oh yeah, one of your brothers married a Winter, right?"
Telie attacked, but his shield got in his way before he could get anywhere. "Son of a goat! ... Gods forsaken!.” He sighed. “Yeah, she married Jason.” He started circling, obviously not comfortable with attacking.
"Well, that's another reason to visit the old home. And c'mon, isn't there anyone back there you want to see?"
The two exchanged blows, though dealing with the shield made Telie’s movements awkward.. "I guess if I get to see Medea... and her hated sister-in-law... just... don’t leave me alone... with my step-mom.” Puffing and gasping with the effort, Telémakhos backed up, sweating. "Phew... this warrior thing is for the birds… No offense." He winked and came in with some aggressive but ill-aimed chops.
Tim deflected a high cut from Telie with the upper rim of his shield. "Sure, I've got your back. And I'm sure my family would be happy to see you."
"You have to be ki... oh, you mean your family. (5) Yeah, that would be nice. What can I tell my dad to get him off my back?"
Tim continued to fend off all of Telie's attacks "Hey, you can always tell him about all the beasties you killed and the cash you raked in. He likes that kind of stuff, right? And anyway, with a couple more years of practice, you can call him out and kick his ass. You're probably faster than he was in his prime, and the man's getting old. Old and cranky."
Telie slowed down a bit, obviously tired. "Yeah, killing my dad would solve my problems ... His hard way is why we are as rich as we are... or they are... you know what I mean,” he panted. “They are all bastards… I just want him to be satisfied enough to stay off my back... I will offer him some coin and show him the rapier... and tell him about Lowe and my possible… Ow!" Telie stopped, pulled off his helm and wiped sweat out of his eyes. He stood there for a moment, leaning the edge of his sword in the dirt. "Tell him about the possibility of establishing a keep or manor in the Disputed Territories..."
"That sounds -- Ow!" Tim doubled over in surprise; Telémakhos had unexpectedly thrown his shield at the larger man’s chest, smacking into his breastplate with a loud clang. This put Tim’s jaw right in position for a hard right from Telie's fist. But instead of falling, Tim grabbed hold of his cousin. "Oh, so that's how you're gonna be about it? Fine by me!" Smirking, he twisted Telie's arm behind his back. "And when I said to kick your dad's ass, this is what I'm talking about," he added, pushing Telie to his knees. "You just gotta show the old man who's boss."
“Gurp!” Telémakhos gagged on the sudden pain. “Owwww!"
"I'll let you up... just as soon as you say 'I'll visit my uncle'."
"I'll visit my uncle whose loins are obviously twisted byyyy... arghhh!"
"Oh, come on. What did my lord father ever do to you? Other than have your dad as a brother."
"And have you!!"
Tim chuckled. "Oh, now that's just mean." He twisted a little harder. "And you're gonna be nice to me, aren't you?"
"Aiiiiiiiiiiii! Of... course!"
"And we're going to Chalkour, aren't we?"
"By... my... vote..."
"Then we're as good as there." Tim released Telie's arm, then pulled his cousin to his feet. "I can almost smell Mom's home cooking."
"I can't wait to see you try to convince everyone else..." Telie rubbed his shoulder and started to strip down
"Oh, you're a lot better at that stuff than I am. And you said Bleys also wants to go there, right? I figure between the three of us, we should be set."
"Well...” Telémahkos began to walk to the water stripping off his clothes without shame. Naked, he dove in and when he came up he continued. “Bleys may not know he wants to go there, but when I suggest we could see his sister and make sure all is well, he might see things my way." Swimming around casually, he started singing a beautiful (if slightly sickening) love song popular with the romantic set.
Following, Tim ducked his head under the water for a quick rinse. "What about Golden Boy? Do you think the whole repayment of debts and filial obligations thing will get him on board? I figure Ra would be all in favor with that kind of stuff."
"If you want to talk about your debts…, Well, see how it goes. I don't want anyone to know about mine. Then again, I’m supposed to be more refined than you."
"Is that the word for it?" replied Tim, splashing water in Telie's direction.
Coughing up water and wiping it out of his eyes, Telémakhos replied, "Yeah, that certain noble something that gets all the girls in a tizzy..."
"That reminds me, my little sister's finally filling out, and she still has a huge crush on you. So when we go back to visit, NO TOUCHING." Tim accompanied this statement with a glare of mock disapproval.
"Hey, you know she could do a lot worse, both from birth and personality… Then again, she isn't marrying material, so I would need to make sure not to plant any little Telies in my wake…" With that, Telie splashed Tim and swam for his life.
"Oh, you're gonna get it now!" roared Tim, splashing after his cousin.
…to be continued…
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Notes:
(1) Laarus was unconscious during the first meeting with Harliss and had to learn her news second hand from Bleys when he awoke on the ship later.
(2) Recovering from loss of speed due to a critical result requires either restorative magic, or a full day of bed rest restores five feet of lost speed.
(3) Telémahkos has the weapon finesse feat with the rapier, this using his dexterity modifier with attack rolls for it. For the Aquerra version of the weapon finesse feat, click here.
(4) Telémahkos is, of course, referring to his own father.
(5) Timotheus is still close with his non-noble portion of his family.
Isilem, the 2nd of Ter – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)
The sound of the door opening awakened Telémahkos from a fitful sleep of disjointed dreams. For a moment he felt the bewilderment of waking in a strange place, and as he sat up suddenly, he felt the pain of his recent wounds and lay back down just as suddenly. A quick glance at the window showed that dawn had not yet come.
Telémahkos remembered being made comfortable in Vanthus' old room. Lavinia walked in dressed in a thick dressing robe covering a white nightgown, the hem of which hung below the short robe. Her hair was up in a kerchief and she carried the lit stub of a candle in a holder.
"Oh, I am sorry," she whispered apologetically. "I could not sleep and just wanted to check on you. I know you companion healed you, but you looked so bad…I wanted to make sure…I will leave you to your rest…"
She moved to go back out.
"No, please, I don't expect to be back asleep soon anyway," he whispered in a horse voice. Slowly and painfully he adjusted himself so he was sitting up in bed, leaning against a fat, comfortable pillow.
Telémahkos opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to moisten his dry mouth.
"Let me fetch you some water. . ." Lavinia Vanderboren went out and then came back with a pitcher and a tin cup, placing it on the night table next to the bed and pouring him a cup. After handing it to him, she carefully brought a chair over next to bed and sat. "I cannot express how grateful I am to you and your companions for aiding me and for trying to aid my brother… But especially you… As I know it must not have been easy to convince them to do, what with all the secrecy…"
Telie thanked her for the water and drank a cup full before speaking again. "It became something of a mess honestly. There are lots of rumors flying about and I think I told a white lie about some plot or another to get us going in the right direction. I worry about your feelings, but I worry more that you will embrace your brother once more to your disadvantage." He drank some more before continuing. "He is a louse, and I only say this bluntly because I do not have strength for the politeness normally required of one of my station."
"I. . . I just can't accept it. . ." She lowered her head into her hands, and when she looked back up she was crying. "I mean, he has always made mistakes, or wasted his energies in this or that fad or fickle interest that he would prove to have no talent for, and yes… He’d waste a lot of mother and father's coin… But that is all they were…Mistakes… If he has done evil it has been because of his own incompetence and short-sightedness, not because of his intentions. . . That must count for something. . . Right?"
She was quiet for a long moment, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Isis forgives. . ."
Telémahkos sat up and awkwardly tried to comfort her, wincing from the sharp pains of his movement.
"Isis does forgive ... thank her for that." He paused before continuing, trying to figure out the best way to say what he had to say about Vanthus. "From all descriptions he is selfish, self-centered, reckless and uncaring about anyone he hurts to get what he is after. I am sorry to force the point ... but do not let your beautiful heart allow you and your family’s legacy be dragged down by this scoundrel. Keep him at arm's length at least. I will do what I can to gain you some business if there is anything you can take on… Let this brat redeem himself and if he understands that what he has done is wrong and wants to make up for it, let him prove that in deed before you ever allow yourself to be in a position where he can get anything from you. I say too much, but I know people… and I do not want to see anything else happen to you."
"I cannot say I will not help my brother if he comes to me," Lavinia said, suddenly sitting up straight and wiping the last of her tears. "That would dishonor my parents and all they sacrificed for his sake…"
She stood and paced the room a bit, nervously, her mood suddenly changing. "Business! More business is what I need to keep this company afloat and keep all the vultures from picking off the last pieces of my parents' hard-earned fortune. My plan was to use part of the money used by the sale of this place and the art in it to pay off the most pressing of the remaining debt, and then use what is left to fund an expedition to Fort Thunder to re-establish the most lucrative of my parent's trade routes. They used to be adventurers . . . and hired others to do this kind of dangerous work. . ..Thus why I hired the Jade Ravens. Now of course that trip is delayed because of the death of Mister Wayhand who was to buy the place, and with Tolvin Kentai dead…"
She walked back over and sat down, taking Telie's hand. "He was to be the guide, as he was from there and had traveled to and from the Hellish Isles several times… Until I can find I new guide, and perhaps a new band to go there, as the Jade Ravens may no longer exist without their founder. . ."
"There are no closer routes that can help in the meanwhile? What makes this route so valuable?" Telie paused only for a second as he had another thought, "And when we are done with our business in the Disputed Territories… But what wrong can be righted in such a voyage? Do you have any maps?" He got out of bed without embarrassment, despite being in his skivvies, and donned his toga. “How far away is this place?"
"Closer routes?" She looked up wide-eyed. "We have no routes. We Vanderborens have always made our coin by providing others with what they need for trade and making a cut from it, or commission from the connection and networking of various independent craftsman. However, in the last few years most of these companies have been cutting out the Mercantile Nexus, and making these deals directly, or finding their own in-house resources for such things. The Fort Thunder route was the true source of my parents’ fortune… Though those shipments were rare and some never even got through, but the goods, especially spices and tobacco and coffee gained, meant each shipload was worth nearly a fortune in and of themselves… It was also my parents' true love, as the area provided them much adventure as they sought to open up new markets and make contacts with the various peoples of those lands."
She sighed and continued. "We are still bringing in some coin from our usual methods and the liquidation of some of our property, but even two trips from Fort Thunder could bring in more than I need to cover all the rest of the debts and build something more stable to serve as a legacy for the Vanderborens. As for a map, all I have is the one we found here among some of Vanthus’ stuff. . . Do not get up. I can show you tomorrow when I return from town…"
"Alright, more on the morrow…" Telie got comfortable again. "Would you hold my hand until sleep takes me?"
And as far as he knew, she did just that.
----------------------------------------------------
The sun was shining, and Telémahkos got out of bed and found a basin of fresh water and a sponge waiting for him. As he was finishing washing up, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in…” Laarus Raymer of Ra walked in, changed from his more tight-fitting travel clothes into his red cassock. His face showed the easy redness of having been out in the sun doing his morning prayers to Ra. “Good morning, Laarus…”
Telémahkos was fishing through his pack, taking out some parchment and a quill, which he laid out on the barren desk in the room.
"Morning," the priest responded, nodding his head. He looked over the amenities of Telémakhos' large room, more than had been afforded for any of the other Vanderboren guests. "I trust you had a good rest?" Laarus queried, though his tone made it seem more of a statement of fact than a question. He closed the door behind him, "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak to you about Lavinia."
"Of course. Make yourself comfortable," Telie replied, sitting at the edge of the bed, leaving the single chair for Laarus' use.
Laarus sat down on the chair offered him. He hung his head for a moment, composing his thoughts before speaking. "I believe Miss Vanderboren deserves to know the full story," the priest remarked. "You did not exactly have your wits about you last night, so you do not know, but I was reluctant to do so myself. I didn't wish to share the full details in front of strangers, such as those of that other group. Some of the specifics are more… personal in nature. They should be handled as such."
Laarus eyes turned towards Telémakhos. "She appears to feel a close connection to you, Telémakhos. It may be best for you to let her know the truth. Or at least how the truth was presented to us."
Telémahkos sighed. "Well, I already told Lavinia her brother is a louse that he should not be trusted or allowed to have anything to do with her family's business. However, she is convinced that he is just misguided, willful and foolish. There is not much in the details that would tell her more, is there? She already knows he was misrepresenting himself as a representative of the company with his shady dealings and that his actions wrought the mayhem here. However, all he was doing, as far as I know, was trying to steal something of great value… I mean, I will speak with her again to give her some details and make sure she understands as fully as possible her brother's dishonesty, but I am not sure if you had something else in mind ... or if you have a different interpretation of these events."
"I was aware you'd spoken to her late in the night, she mentioned having checked in on you, but I was not sure you had talked about that. If she's been informed of the events that led up to this attack and of the full involvement of Vanthus, his consort, and Harliss in this mess, that should be sufficient. I believe that is all who, Bleys informed me, was involved." (1) Laarus spent another moment in quiet reflection before continuing. "I have no other interpretation of these events. Our information's come from a source that is far from reputable. In appearance it seems to be the full truth, but, we'd be foolish to assume it truly is. Lavinia should be made aware of this as well."
"I will, in the coming days, make sure Lavinia knows the story clearly."
“Tell me, did you speak with her about the supposed attack on House Weatherwax?" The priest asked.
"I have not done so yet. I have my paper out and hope to obtain more, because I think it will benefit us all if I take notes on what I learn and from whom and when. I seem to have a terrible memory." Telie seemed earnest in his desire to have a methodological approach to the situation.
"It is difficult to hold onto the facts alone and not shade them with your own assumptions. That is why I've taken to writing down what I see, to keep the facts in order. You may be wise to do the same." The priest stood slowly, his body still aching slightly from wounds and weariness. "Did you happen to tell Lavinia that the one who ordered the attack is in the area?"
Telie blushed. "I did not… Which is quite foolish of me. I suppose I wanted to forget that business. Alone and a wanted woman, I hope she just skulks off to lick her wounds somewhere else. Do you think she would come here to try to finish this business herself?" In answer to his own question he continued, "I hope news of her first mate's demise and the presence of our company and what remains of the other company will send her on her way before we ourselves leave."
"She may await for a better time to complete her revenge," Laarus considered. "The local authorities should be notified, though. Perhaps she can be captured and brought to justice before she can finish it. I'll do that this morning." Laarus turned and began walking to the door. Just before the portal, he stopped and turned back to Telémakhos. "Tell me. Did Captain Oberto say why he wanted you to assassinate her?"
"He never mentioned her nor did he indicate I was to be killing anyone. He just made it sound like he was working against the Coopers, which makes little sense in light of the fact that Harliss's death would help the Coopers, not hurt them… It is the only thing that really hurts is my head when I think about all of this."
He paused to take a sip of water from a nearby tin cup and then continued, "Laarus, my life will likely be in danger if it is known I have revealed the Captain's role in this. Please keep it between us." He looked pained thinking about the intrigue he had gotten involved in.
Laarus nodded. "I do not wish to see you come to harm." With that, the priest opened the door and concluded: "I'll leave you to your writing. Good morning." He closed it behind him.
"You and me both," Telémahkos murmured as he turned to his parchment.
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Later in the day, after lunch, Laarus had gone into town, and Victoria was resting her leg, hoping to get it back up to speed in a few days (2), while Markos was off somewhere in the house avoiding everyone as usual. Bleys was still frozen in the sepia shell. Timotheus and Telémakhos were fencing outdoors near the Vanderboren Manse, out by the empty water where the gulls soared. The clack and clash of their blades filled the air, accompanied by the scuff of boots on gravel and the grunts and wheezes of exertion.
“So,” said Timotheus, “how long d'you think we're going to be out here?” He swept his blade out lazily, daring his cousin to attack.
Telémakhos lunged, but his rapier was parried by his cousin’s saber. “Out where?”
“Quillton. Black Thread Island.”
“A while… I think…What do you think of Lavinia?”
“She’s nice. She likes you.”
Whipping his cloak at Tim’s blade, Telémakhos tried to deliver a punch with his sword’s basket-hilt, only to be parried and receive a stinging riposte for his pains. “Ow!” Telie stopped and took some deep breaths. "I don't know… She's a little tall for me… I like her, I think...” Telémahkos kicked dirt in Tim's direction and went for his heavily protected heart.
Tim's parry was a little slow, and Telie's point scraped on his breastplate. “Good!” he called, beating at Telie's blade and thrusting, knocking his cousin’s blade completely out of line. “No kidding. You're her knight in studded armor.”
Telémakhos backed up, shaking his head. He brought his rapier back in line and moved forward for a careful attack. “Well,” he observed, “I am uncertain of her interest... but please, if Tymon is around when I am trying to talk to her, distract him... He has me married to his sister already… Not that I would mind... you have to see this girl…”
“I'm sure I will.” Tim returned to guard position, awaiting Telie’s next attack. “And there's no uncertainty about Lavinia’s interest. She threw herself on top of you to protect you. Then she tried to hold ‘em off with your own sword. That's pretty devoted.”
Telie came in fast then, attacking low and high in quick combinations. He was satisfied with how swiftly and precisely he moved with the rapier (3), given how pedestrian he was with any other melee weapon. “I wish I could see things as simply as you do sometimes... I almost got killed trying to save her... I have no idea why... I do not love her... but she didn't deserve that mess.” He halted for a moment, panting heavily. “Before I collapse from exhaustion, why don't you tell me what is on your mind?” Telie finished a flurry as the Steel Whip lived up to its name, hitting Tim left and right before he could even change his footing.
“Ow! You're getting good with that thing.” Ignoring the blood that began dripping from his right bicep, Timotheus continued, “I just want to know what we're doing next. I'm hoping we can stop in at Azure, and maybe take a few days to hop up the road to Chalkour. I got some people to see and some debts to pay.”
Hearing this, Telie completely dropped his guard during a semi-risky maneuver, only to be flattened for his mistake. Tim offered his hand to help him up.
“Ugh.” Telie’s nose bled as he took Tim's hand. Wiping his nose on the back of his hand, he held his head back, occasionally snorting and then spitting out blood. “First, I heard Azure and thought, ‘no f*cking way’... and then I heard ‘debt’ and remembered my own…”
Tim grinned. “Sorry.”
A moment later, Telémakhos hocked a huge gob of bloody phlegm and lunged forward, seeming more intent than ever to get in telling blows. “I hate your uncle,”(4) he said, then fought silently for a bit, looking unhappy and almost dour.
Tim continued to fight defensively, though not enough to keep all of Telie's attacks from getting through. "I'm not a big fan of his, either. But no one said anything about going to Epithalassos-by-the-Sea. I don't want to see him either."
"At this point, I just want stab something in the face, so before I do that to you, let me go get my sword and shield so I am little threat to anyone..."
Tim laughed. "Sure. I'll get my helmet on."
Telie stomped off to rinse off and have a drink, followed by Tim. The two changed into heavier gear before heading back out to spar in the heat of the afternoon.
"Bleys is going to want to see his sister and her kids,” said Telémakhos, “And I should check in on them too... I guess I can deal with another day of humiliation when I have so many behind me that I cannot count them all." He banged his broad sword on his shield and started to circle Tim awkwardly.
"His sister? Oh yeah, one of your brothers married a Winter, right?"
Telie attacked, but his shield got in his way before he could get anywhere. "Son of a goat! ... Gods forsaken!.” He sighed. “Yeah, she married Jason.” He started circling, obviously not comfortable with attacking.
"Well, that's another reason to visit the old home. And c'mon, isn't there anyone back there you want to see?"
The two exchanged blows, though dealing with the shield made Telie’s movements awkward.. "I guess if I get to see Medea... and her hated sister-in-law... just... don’t leave me alone... with my step-mom.” Puffing and gasping with the effort, Telémakhos backed up, sweating. "Phew... this warrior thing is for the birds… No offense." He winked and came in with some aggressive but ill-aimed chops.
Tim deflected a high cut from Telie with the upper rim of his shield. "Sure, I've got your back. And I'm sure my family would be happy to see you."
"You have to be ki... oh, you mean your family. (5) Yeah, that would be nice. What can I tell my dad to get him off my back?"
Tim continued to fend off all of Telie's attacks "Hey, you can always tell him about all the beasties you killed and the cash you raked in. He likes that kind of stuff, right? And anyway, with a couple more years of practice, you can call him out and kick his ass. You're probably faster than he was in his prime, and the man's getting old. Old and cranky."
Telie slowed down a bit, obviously tired. "Yeah, killing my dad would solve my problems ... His hard way is why we are as rich as we are... or they are... you know what I mean,” he panted. “They are all bastards… I just want him to be satisfied enough to stay off my back... I will offer him some coin and show him the rapier... and tell him about Lowe and my possible… Ow!" Telie stopped, pulled off his helm and wiped sweat out of his eyes. He stood there for a moment, leaning the edge of his sword in the dirt. "Tell him about the possibility of establishing a keep or manor in the Disputed Territories..."
"That sounds -- Ow!" Tim doubled over in surprise; Telémakhos had unexpectedly thrown his shield at the larger man’s chest, smacking into his breastplate with a loud clang. This put Tim’s jaw right in position for a hard right from Telie's fist. But instead of falling, Tim grabbed hold of his cousin. "Oh, so that's how you're gonna be about it? Fine by me!" Smirking, he twisted Telie's arm behind his back. "And when I said to kick your dad's ass, this is what I'm talking about," he added, pushing Telie to his knees. "You just gotta show the old man who's boss."
“Gurp!” Telémakhos gagged on the sudden pain. “Owwww!"
"I'll let you up... just as soon as you say 'I'll visit my uncle'."
"I'll visit my uncle whose loins are obviously twisted byyyy... arghhh!"
"Oh, come on. What did my lord father ever do to you? Other than have your dad as a brother."
"And have you!!"
Tim chuckled. "Oh, now that's just mean." He twisted a little harder. "And you're gonna be nice to me, aren't you?"
"Aiiiiiiiiiiii! Of... course!"
"And we're going to Chalkour, aren't we?"
"By... my... vote..."
"Then we're as good as there." Tim released Telie's arm, then pulled his cousin to his feet. "I can almost smell Mom's home cooking."
"I can't wait to see you try to convince everyone else..." Telie rubbed his shoulder and started to strip down
"Oh, you're a lot better at that stuff than I am. And you said Bleys also wants to go there, right? I figure between the three of us, we should be set."
"Well...” Telémahkos began to walk to the water stripping off his clothes without shame. Naked, he dove in and when he came up he continued. “Bleys may not know he wants to go there, but when I suggest we could see his sister and make sure all is well, he might see things my way." Swimming around casually, he started singing a beautiful (if slightly sickening) love song popular with the romantic set.
Following, Tim ducked his head under the water for a quick rinse. "What about Golden Boy? Do you think the whole repayment of debts and filial obligations thing will get him on board? I figure Ra would be all in favor with that kind of stuff."
"If you want to talk about your debts…, Well, see how it goes. I don't want anyone to know about mine. Then again, I’m supposed to be more refined than you."
"Is that the word for it?" replied Tim, splashing water in Telie's direction.
Coughing up water and wiping it out of his eyes, Telémakhos replied, "Yeah, that certain noble something that gets all the girls in a tizzy..."
"That reminds me, my little sister's finally filling out, and she still has a huge crush on you. So when we go back to visit, NO TOUCHING." Tim accompanied this statement with a glare of mock disapproval.
"Hey, you know she could do a lot worse, both from birth and personality… Then again, she isn't marrying material, so I would need to make sure not to plant any little Telies in my wake…" With that, Telie splashed Tim and swam for his life.
"Oh, you're gonna get it now!" roared Tim, splashing after his cousin.
…to be continued…
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Notes:
(1) Laarus was unconscious during the first meeting with Harliss and had to learn her news second hand from Bleys when he awoke on the ship later.
(2) Recovering from loss of speed due to a critical result requires either restorative magic, or a full day of bed rest restores five feet of lost speed.
(3) Telémahkos has the weapon finesse feat with the rapier, this using his dexterity modifier with attack rolls for it. For the Aquerra version of the weapon finesse feat, click here.
(4) Telémahkos is, of course, referring to his own father.
(5) Timotheus is still close with his non-noble portion of his family.
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Telémakhos
First Post
I am almost embarrassed by the kudos but thanks!
I do not remember all the details of the Laarus exchange, but Osvaldo definitely added some narrative moments. I know that when Tim's player and I did the sparring exchange, we were in IM and we were definitely enjoying the descriptions of the sparring, and making its progression part of the narrative.
The omnipotent GM did some noticeable editing of that as well. It stretched on a bit at the end.
Really, downtime in this campaign is going to be some of the most fun I am going to have.
I think this is easily going to be the best Aquerra campaign ever because of the experience O brings to the game, the setting, so much potential. I am looking forward to every moment.
I do not remember all the details of the Laarus exchange, but Osvaldo definitely added some narrative moments. I know that when Tim's player and I did the sparring exchange, we were in IM and we were definitely enjoying the descriptions of the sparring, and making its progression part of the narrative.
The omnipotent GM did some noticeable editing of that as well. It stretched on a bit at the end.
Really, downtime in this campaign is going to be some of the most fun I am going to have.
I think this is easily going to be the best Aquerra campaign ever because of the experience O brings to the game, the setting, so much potential. I am looking forward to every moment.
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